Category: Neglected species

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Underutilized plants finally get an airing

We don’t usually reproduce press releases here, but this is a good cause.

Hundreds of little-known indigenous plant species support the lives of the rural poor. These plants often have medicinal properties, provide nutrients to women and children, and are used for building materials, fodder and a multitude of other uses.

Called neglected or “underutilized,” these species collectively receive little attention from researchers, extension officers, farmers, policy and decision makers, donors, technology providers and consumers, yet they are vital to the wellbeing of millions of people. Many have untapped potential for processing into refreshments and snacks and for trade in the domestic and regional markets, thus providing poor people with new income opportunities.

An international Symposium is convened in Arusha, Tanzania 3-7 March 2008. 209 participants from 54 countries have come together to share and discuss approaches to promote underutilized plants in four main areas of importance: food security, nutrition and health, income generation, and environmental sustainability.

The Symposium is co-convened under the umbrella of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) by the Sri Lanka-based International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC) and the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species, Bioversity International, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, GlobalHort and AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center, whose Regional Office for Africa is the local host.

Dr Hannah Jaenicke, Director of ICUC and the main convener of the Symposium says: “Many underutilized crops are plants used by the poor to meet their daily needs; they are not high priorities for national governments as are commodity crops.”

She continues: “Many of the people working on these plants feel isolated. They have no access to information from other countries, which is often not published. This symposium provides a unique opportunity for experts from around the world to exchange ideas and develop strategies for future collaboration.”

The Hon. Minister for Education and Vocational Training, the former Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Prof. Jumanne Maghembe will open the symposium.

Dr. Sidi Sanyang, representing Dr. Monty Jones, the Executive Secretary of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), will present the keynote address. Other distinguished guests at the Opening Ceremony are Dr. Norman E. Looney, President of the International Society of Horticultural Sciences and Dr. Jeremiah Haki, Director for Research and Development, Department of Agriculture.

LATER: And here’s the report.

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Of spears, shields and sorghum

Africa’s farmers have been making sorghum beer for centuries, but it now looks like European brewers are getting in on the act. Heineken and Diageo have started replacing imported barley with locally-grown sorghum in their brewing operations in Ghana and Sierra Leone. It started as a social responsibility project (funded by the Common Fund for Commodities, with the European Co-operative for Rural Development as a partner), but recent increases in the price of malting barley have made it “commercially rather attractive” too.

Of course, farmers have to grow the right variety, and ensure that a consistent supply gets to the breweries, so the project has provided training, access to finance (for seed, fertilizer etc.), and assistance with organizing into groups. This is meant to lead to the establishment of a “sustainable production chain,” which is often touted as a prerequisite for the successful promotion of an underutilized crop — or a crop underutilized for a particular purpose, such as sorghum for industrial brewing: “Farmers need to build confidence that the market is there.”

What will the promotion of a single, industrial use for sorghum do to the diversity of the crop? Nothing good, probably, unless the possible consequences are recognized and appropriate steps taken. In a recent paper we have advocated a “spear and shield” approach to promotion. This means that specific incentives that support diversification should be included when promotion of a particular species, variety or use carries significant risks for (agricultural) biodiversity.

Actions which would support diversification include strengthening community germplasm exchange networks. Coincidentally, there’s an IFPRI discussion paper also out today which looks at the seed system for sorghum and millet in West Africa — Mali, in this case. It seems little certified seed is reaching farmers, though it is still unclear whether this is a demand or supply problem. One of the recommendations is that the formal seed supply systems should deal not only with improved material but also with local landraces. This should be brought to the attention of Heineken, Diageo and their sorghum-brewing partners. Their project should seek to strengthen the local seed system as a whole (the shield), not just help farmers get hold of the preferred brewing variety (the spear).

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Promoting underutilized plants

Are you going to the international symposium on “Underutilized plants for food, nutrition, income and sustainable development” in Arusha, Tanzania on 3-7 March? John Sowei certainly is, all the way from Papua New Guinea, to talk about sago. My old friends from the Pacific Lois Englberger (her Let’s Go Local activities in Pohnpei have featured regularly in these pages) and Mary Taylor are also presenting papers. And I believe another old friend, Hannah Jaenicke, is already in Arusha, helping with the organization. John, Lois, Mary, Hannah — or anyone else: do let us know if you’d like to blog the event for us.